Slidable door hanger device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to improvements in hanger devices for horizontally slidable doors, of the type known as pocket doors which are slidable into a wall portion to occupy an open position and more particularly to novel hanger structures for vertically adjusting the leading edge of such doors in order to plumb the door against the jamb. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a first section or base adapted for attachment to the upper margin of a slidable door in the vicinity of the leading edge thereof, and a second section pivotally supported by the first section. Said second section is in the form of a pair of angularly disposed arms, the extremity of one arm supporting a guide roller, and the extremity of the other arm supporting an internally threaded member which accommodates a rotatable adjusting screw. By rotating this screw, the supported guide roller may be lowered or elevated for vertically adjusting the leading edge of the door, said door member being suspended in a given position by a hanger device in the vicinity of the trailing margin thereof.

United States Patent 1 McNinclt Aug. 20, 1974 1 SLIDABLE DOOR HANGER DEVICE [75] Inventor: Delmar D. McNinch, Rock Falls, 111.

[73] Assignee: Lawrence Brothers, Inc., Sterling,

[22] Filed: Feb. 12, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 331,777

[52] US. Cl 16/105, 16/97, 49/420 [51] Int. Cl A4711 15/00 [58] Field of Search 16/105, 99, 97, 19, 34; 49/4094l2, 420,425

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,030,469 6/1912 Hell 49/420 2,110, 20 3/1938 Schnitzler 49/420 X 1,265,790 5/1918 Kirby 16/19 X 1,835,144 12/1931 Cleaveland 16/34 1,980,990 11/1934 Gronbech 49/425 X 2,218,149 10/1940 Haynes 49/420 2,746,080 5/1956 Pearson 16/105 2,786,227 3/1957 Pearson 16/105 2,990,567 7/1961 Pearson 16/105 3,011,209 12/1961 Majeske 16/105 3,175,255 3/1965 Saunders 16/105 X Primary ExaminerB0bby R Gay Assistant Examiner-Peter A. Aschenbrenner Attorney, Agent, or FirmOlson, Trexler, Wolters, Bushnell & Fosse [5 7 ABSTRACT The present invention relates generally to improvements in hanger devices for horizontally slidable doors, of the type known as pocket doors which are slidable into a wall portion to occupy an open position and more particularly to novel hanger structures for vertically adjusting the leading edge of such doors in order to plumb the door against the jamb. The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein comprises a first section or base adapted for attachment to the upper margin of a slidable door in the vicinity of the leading edge thereof, and a second section pivotally supported by the first section. Said second section is in the form of a pair of angularly disposed arms, the extremity of one arm supporting a guide roller, and the extremity of the other arm supporting an internally threaded member which accommodates a rotatable adjusting screw. By rotating this screw, the supported guide roller may be lowered or elevated for vertically adjusting the leading edge of the door, said door member being suspended in a given position by a hanger device in the vicinity of the trailing margin thereof.

6 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures sum 10? 2 PATENTEDmszo lam PATENTEDmseo um saaetanr SLIDABLE DOOR HANGER DEVICE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There are certain problems which may be encountered when a slidable door of the pocket variety is initially installed and suspended from a horizontally disposed track. The vertical height of the door member must be such that when it is initially suspended from a pair of horizontally spaced hangers located in the vicinity of the upper margin thereof, the lower edge of the door will clear the fioor therebeneath. After the door has been suspended, the leading edge of the door member is generally out of the vertical alignment. In other words, further adjustment is required to raise or lower the leading margin of the door in order to bring the leading edge of the door into a position to close plumb against the jamb. It is common practice to employ a hanger for the trailing margin of a slidable door member which is nonadjustable vertically, but which will assure the required spacing of the bottom edge of the door member with respect to the floor, and which will permit limited edgewise tilting of the leading margin of the door member. Should the leading edge of the door member be out of plumb when the door member is initially installed, means must be provided for edgewise tilting of the leading margin of the door to effect vertical alignment thereof. It is therefore an important object of the present invention to provide a simple yet highly practical, improved hanger structure whereby the leading margin or edge of a slidable door member may be vertically adjusted with a minimum amount of effort or skill.

More specifically, the invention contemplates the provision of an adjustable door hanger, as set forth above, in which the mere rotation of a threaded member such as a screw member will effect the vertical adjustment of the leading edge of the door.

The invention also contemplates an improved adjustable hanger device which is extremely simple in construction and may be struck and formed from sheet metal, thus assuring minimum cost of manufacture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved adjustable hanger device of the type referred to above which is adapted for use with doors of plywood construction where attachment must be made to the side of the door rather than the top of the door to assure screw holding ability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view illustrating a horizontally slidable door installation;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse sectional view taken substantially along the line 22 of FIG. 1, disclosing the hanger device of the present invention attached to the upper edge of a relatively thick or solid door member;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the manner in which the hanger device of the present invention may be attached to doors of less thickness, as for example doors constructed of plywood laminations;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the parts of the adjustable hanger device shown in FIG. 2, said parts being disassociated from each other for purposes of more clearly illustrating the hanger structure;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, taken substantially along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2, the leading edge of the door member being disclosed in somewhat exaggerated out-of-plumb relation;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 5 disclosing the door member after it has been tilted edgewise through the agency of the adjustable hanger device of the present invention, so as to position the leading edge of the door member in vertical alignment with the adjacent door jamb or frame;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view disclosing the adjustable hanger device of the present invention attached to the upper margin of a door member of less thickness, such as a door member constructed of plywood laminations;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 discloses a modified form of track structure which may be used for supporting the hanger device of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail,

wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that FIG. 1 discloses a front elevation of a horizontally slidable door installation, designated generally bythe numeral 10. The installation 10 includes a horizontally slidable door member 12 which in its left position, as viewed in FIG. 1, closes the door opening. The initial steps in providing the door installation 10 is to mount within the door opening a horizontally disposed track 14, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 2. Such installations are commonly referred to in the trade as pocket frame sliding door installations.

It will be noted from FIG. 1 that the trailing margin of the door member 12 is suspended from the track 14 by a hanger device of conventional design indicated generally by the numeral 16. This hanger device 16 is of the non-adjustable type and serves to support the trailing margin of the door member 12 with predetermined clearance between the bottom edge of the door member and the surface of the floor 18. It will also be apparent that before suspending the door member 12 through the agency of the roller carrying hanger 16, the overall height of the door member must have a dimension which will assure the above mentioned clearance of the bottom edge of the door member. Details of the conventional non-adjustable hanger device 16 are not illustrated or described herein because the structural details thereof are well known in the trade and are not necessary for a clear understanding of the present invention.

The leading margin of the door member 12 is adapted to be suspended from the guide track 14 by means of a novel hanger device embodying the present invention and designated generally by the numeral 20, FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6. The hanger device 20 includes a first section 21, including a plate 22 adapted to be attached to the upper edge of the door member 12 in any suitable manner, as for example by screws 24. These screws are accommodated by complementary apertures 26 in the first section or plate 22, as clearly shown in FIG. 4. Extending upwardly and formed integral with one margin of the plate 22 is a sheet metal portion 28 of said first section 21 which is apertured at 30 to accommodate a pivot member or rivet 32. The hanger device also includes a second section 34 which is in the form of a pair of angularly disposed arms 36 and 38. Intermediate the extremities of the arms 36 and 38 is an aperture 40 to accommodate the aforesaid rivet 32, whereby to render said second section 34 pivotally supported by the upwardly extending plate member 28.

The free extremity of the arm 36 rotatably supports a guide roller 42, and an internally threaded member or nut 44 is swivelly supported in the vicinity of the free extremity of the arm 38. A slot 46 provided in the plate 22 serves as a guide for the free extremity of the arm 38, whereby to secure the pivotally mounted section 34 against lateral displacement. Extending laterally and formed integrally with one side of the upstanding plate 28 is a support member 48 provided with a recess 50 for accommodating one extremity of a rotatable screw element 52. Axially spaced head sections 54 and 56 are rotatable with the screw element 52, and the outer extremity of the above mentioned element 48 is adapted to be accommodated within the space between said head elements 54 and 56.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that when rotation is imparted to the screw member 52, as by means of a suitable turning tool such as a screwdriver (not shown), pivotal movement of the section 34 about the axis of the rivet 32 will be experienced. Thus, assume that upon initial application of the roller 42 to the guide track 14, the door member 12 will be supported in the tilted position illustrated in FIG. 5. For purposes of clearness in disclosure, the degree of tilting has been somewhat exaggerated. In this tilted position, the leading edge 58 will be out of plumb or, in other words, out of parallelism with respect to the vertical surface of an adjacent door jamb or frame member 60. By applying rotation to the screw element 52, the leading margin of the door member 12 will be shifted so as to bring the leading edge 58 thereof into vertical alignment, as illustrated in FIG. 6. The limit of pivotal movement of the arm 38 may be controlled by the use of suitable abutments or bosses 62 and 64 formed in the sheet metal upright plate member 28. Obviously, sufficient clearance is provided in mounting the screw element 52 within the recess 50 to account for slight variations of said screw element from the horizontal, as the arms 36 and 38 are pivotally shifted. Also, as previously mentioned, the internally threaded nut 44 is swivelly mounted within the arm 38.

The above described hanger device 20 is particularly adapted for use with solid or relatively thick door members. as illustrated in FIG. 2. In instances where it is not feasible to rely solely upon the screw members 24 for supporting a door member, as for example the door member 12a, FIGS. 3, 7 and 8, comprised of plywood laminations, a modified attachment device designated by the numeral 66 may be employed. The device 66 includes a plate member 68 adapted to be secured to the side of a door member 12a by means of screws 70. The upper portion of the plate 68 is provided with an aperture 72 designed to accommodate and interlock with a tongue 74 struck from the previously described plate member 28. Also, the upper margin of the plate 68 at each side thereof is formed to provide downwardly projecting tongues 76 which are adapted to engage and interlock with the upper marginal edges of the plate 28, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus, the previously described hanger device 20 may be conveniently and quickly attached for use with laminated type doors and the like by the mere attachment thereto of the element 66. The opposite horizontally spaced edges or margins of the plate member 28 are engaged by the prongs 76 to secure the plate 68 against horizontal displacement with respect to said plate, and the struck out prong 74 cooperates to prevent relative lateral displacement of the upper portion of the plate 68 with respect to the plate 28. A modified form of guide track 10a for accommodating the rollers of the hanger devices 16 and 20, is shown in FIG. 9. To initially apply the rollers of the hanger devices 16 and 20, it is only necessary to tilt the bottom of the door member outwardly a sufficient amount to permit insertion of said rollers and the ultimate resting thereof within the guide track.

It will also be understood that the use of the adapter plate avoids the necessity of keeping two separate hanger designs in stock. In other words, both the manufacturer and the distributor are not required to stock two separate hanger designs. This is a significant advantage over other hanger devices now available.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention contemplates the provision of a structurally simple yet sturdy hanger device for slidable doors which will greatly facilitate the ease with which the edge of the door may be adjusted into parallel relation with the adjacent door frame. With the exception of the adjusting screw, the hanger device of the present invention may be struck and formed from sheet metal stock. Also, the above described improved hanger device is adapted for attachment to door members of varying thicknesses including laminated plywood door members. By the simple adjustment of a screw member or the like, the leading edge ofa slidable door may be vertically adjusted. The detachability of the adapter plate coupling precludes the necessity of employing screws, bolts and like, thereby reducing the installation time.

While for purpose of illustrating one practical application of the present invention certain structural features of the contemplated improved hanger device have been shown, it should be understood that other modifications and changes are contemplated without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A door hanger device for vertically adjusting the leading edge of a horizontally slidable door member to which it is mounted, which door member is suspended in a predetermined position of elevation in the vicinity of the trailing edge thereof, said hanger device including a first section having a horizontal plate portion adapted to rest on the upper margin of a slidable door member in the vicinity of the leading edge thereof, and an upstanding flange portion integral with said horizontal plate portion, a second section pivotally supported by said upstanding flange portion and including a guide roller accommodating portion on one side of the pivotal axis and having a guide roller member carried thereon, means carried by said first section and engaged with a portion of said second section on the other side of said pivotal axis for imparting pivotal movement to said second section and thereby adjusting the vertical position of said guide roller, and a mounting plate member detachably secured to said first section and adapted for mounting to a side surface of a door member thereby fixing the position of said first section relative to the upper margin of said door member, and means for effecting said detachable securement of said mounting plate to said first section, said means comprising first tongue means on said first section adapted for interlocking engagement with said plate member, and second tongue means on said plate member disposed oppositely of said first tongue means and adapted for interlocking engagement with said first section, such that said first section will be fixed against lateral and longitudinal movement relative to said mounting plate.

2. A hanger device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tongue means on said first section is struck from said upstanding flange portion in an upwardly facing direction, and said mounting plate member includes an aperture then which said first tongue means is disposed in overlapping engagement with said plate member and a pair of spaced tongue members formed on said plate member and defining said second tongue means, said spaced tongue member adapted to engage said first section on opposite sides of a segment thereof projecting upwardly between said spaced tongue member, thereby to fix the longitudinal position of said first section relative to said mounting plate.

3. A door hanger device according to claim 1, wherein said second section includes an internally threaded projection, and said means carried by said first section and comprises an externally threaded member rotatably supported thereon and engaged with said internally threaded projection, such that upon rotation of said externally threaded member movement of said second section will be effected,

4. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 2 wherein means is provided for restraining the screw element against longitudinal movement with respect to the first section which means comprises an element having a recess for laterally accommodating said screw element.

5. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second section is in the form of angularly disposed arms pivotally mounted on the first section intermediate the free extremities of said arms.

6. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the guide roller is supported in the vicinity of the extremity of one of said arms and the first mentioned threaded member is supported in the vicinity of the extremity of the other arm. 

1. A door hanger device for vertically adjusting the leading edge of a horizontally slidable door member to which it is mounted, which door member is suspended in a predetermined position of elevation in the vicinity of the trailing edge thereof, said hanger device including a first section having a horizontal plate portion adapted to rest on the upper margin of a slidable door member in the vicinity of the leading edge thereof, and an upstanding flange portion integral with said horizontal plate portion, a second section pivotally supported by said upstanding flange portion and including a guide roller accommodating portion on one side of the pivotal axis and having a guide roller member carried thereon, means carried by said first section and engaged with a portion of said second section on the other side of said pivotal axis for imparting pivotal movement to said second section and thereby adjusting the vertical position of said guide roller, and a mounting plate member detachably secured to said first section and adapted for mounting to a side surface of a door member thereby fixing the position of said first section relative to the upper margin of said door member, and means for effecting said detachable securement of said mounting plate to said first section, said means comprising first tongue means on said first section adapted for interlocking engagement with said plate member, and second tongue means on said plate member disposed oppositely of said first tongue means and adapted for interlocking engagement With said first section, such that said first section will be fixed against lateral and longitudinal movement relative to said mounting plate.
 2. A hanger device as defined in claim 1, wherein said tongue means on said first section is struck from said upstanding flange portion in an upwardly facing direction, and said mounting plate member includes an aperture then which said first tongue means is disposed in overlapping engagement with said plate member and a pair of spaced tongue members formed on said plate member and defining said second tongue means, said spaced tongue member adapted to engage said first section on opposite sides of a segment thereof projecting upwardly between said spaced tongue member, thereby to fix the longitudinal position of said first section relative to said mounting plate.
 3. A door hanger device according to claim 1, wherein said second section includes an internally threaded projection, and said means carried by said first section and comprises an externally threaded member rotatably supported thereon and engaged with said internally threaded projection, such that upon rotation of said externally threaded member movement of said second section will be effected.
 4. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 2 wherein means is provided for restraining the screw element against longitudinal movement with respect to the first section which means comprises an element having a recess for laterally accommodating said screw element.
 5. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second section is in the form of angularly disposed arms pivotally mounted on the first section intermediate the free extremities of said arms.
 6. A door hanger device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the guide roller is supported in the vicinity of the extremity of one of said arms and the first mentioned threaded member is supported in the vicinity of the extremity of the other arm. 